Control valve



Patented Oct. 23, 1945 CONTROL VALVE Gordon R. Elliott, Ferndale, Mich., assigner to Velvac Incorporated, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 5, 1943, Serial No. 497,508

9 Claims. (Cl. 303-54) This invention relates to control valves, and more particularly to a manually operable air and vacuum control valve for the remote control of vehicle, trailer, truck and tractor vacuum power brakes.

`I-Ieretofore control valves of this type have been provided with a plurality of springs for maintaining the proper balance between the air and vacuum chamber control diaphragm, or diaphragms therein.

Inasmuch as such springs are subject to wear, ageing, rust, and other factors bearing upon their resilient functions, it has been found that the proper balancing ofthe vacuum and air chambers varies with the result that frequent replacement of the entire control valve becomes necessary.

It is the object of the present, invention to provide a control valve wherein the balancing chamber is controlled by a self contained vacuum unit provisioned entirely within the control valve housing.

`It is the object of the present invention to provide a manually actuatedvacuum producing means for effecting a vacuum condition of a desired extent within the control valve balancing chamber.` The advantage of the self contained unit over an exterior` vacuum source resides in the fact 'that characteristic rises and falls in the vacuum source would result in undesirable variations in the extent of vacuum within the control valve balancing chamber. By providing a vacuum source entirely within the control valve, the balancing chamber vacuum is subject to no variations except as are manually effected in the operation of the control valve.

It is the further object to provide a combination of elements wherein the control valve is connected directly to the vacuum power chamber of avehicle brake as for instance the brakes on a tractor or truck.

It is the further object also to provide the lcombination wherein the control valve is adapted to operate a remote conversion valve on the truck trailer for instance, which in turn controls a separate vacuum communication to the vacuu power brakes thereof.

The present invention therefore relates to the various elements and their combinations as more fully hereafter set out described and claimed in valve in conjunction with a vacuum suspended power brake system, and

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the control .valve in conjunction with a conversion valve and an air suspended power brake system.

It will be understood that the above drawing illustrates merely a preferable embodiment of the invention, and that other embodiments are also contemplated within the scope thereof as set out hereinafter in conjunction with the appended claims.

In the drawing, the valve housing II has the lateral threaded opening I2 formed therein for receiving vacuum communication from a suitable source,'as for instance, the vacuum taken olf the intake manifoldv of a vehicle internal combustion engine.

Vacuum supplied to the annular chamber I3 formed within housing II is adapted for` communication with chamber I4 ,also formed within housing II, but intermittently cut off therefrom by action of the hollow valve disc member I5 carried by the hollow reciprocable guide I6.

As shown in Fig. 2 in connection with a vacuum suspended power brake system for use on a truck, tractor, a vacuum take-olf conduit 2 is joined to the vacuum take-off at the vehicle intake manifold 3 shown fragmentarily in dotted lines.

Hose 2 provides vacuum communication to one side of the vehicle brake chamber l while a secondary hose 5 provides vacuum communication to the vacuum opening or port I2 in the control valve housing II. Opening I2 in communication with chamber I3 is thus adapted for providing vacuum to chamber I4. Y

Chamber I4 isadapted for communication by outlet opening 1 and by a suitable conduit B to the power chamber 4 of the vehicle brakes, so that when vacuum communication is established to chamber` I4, vacuum is available through conduits 2 and 6 for maintaining the brakes in released condition.

On the other hand application of the brakes is obtained by supplying air through conduit B to the vacuum brake chamber 4, being delivered thereto also from valve chamber I4. Air is supplied to valve housing II through air openings I'I and through air lter I8 retained within housing II between screen assembly I9, filter plate cured to assembly 20 and housing II by asuitable bolt 22.` Screen assembly I9 is retained in housing II by studs 23; and ltered air travels upwardly into chambers 24 and 25, being adapted ber opening I3 which communicates with thev vacuum supply through inlet opening I2, effectively closing off vacuum communication to cham;-v

vber I4 and brake chamber 4. Y

The intermediate housing member 39, and housing II to which it is secured by studs 3l have interposed and-restrained therebetween flexible f diaphragm 32. Stem 33 centrally disposed within housing II and suitably secured to diaphragm 32, depends downwardly therefrom and slidably through the central opening in guide member I6.

Annular collar 34 at the bottom ofstem 33 is not only adapted to operatively engage seat assembly 21 for downwardly unseating the same relative to. annular valve seat 29 against the action of spring`w 213, but also is adapted to engage the lower hollow portion 35 of guide i6, for upwardly unseating disc I with respect to chamber I3.

It is noted that the unseating of disc I5 is against the action of coil spring 3,6 which is interposed between guide IS and diaphragm 3,2. Thus it is clear that downward movement of stem 33 unseats valve disc 21, while suiiicient upward movement of stem 33 unseats disc I5.

The housing cover member 31 with air opjenings 31 and the intermediate housing 33 to which it is secured by studs 38, have interposed therebetween the flexible diaphragm 39. Intermediate housing 3.9 has theI central opening 43,;l and flexible diaphragm 3.9, adapted to engage. diaphragm 32, also engages and coincides substantially in curvature with the inner surface of said intermediate housing. Thus it is seen that in the solid line position of diaphragm 3 9 there is,

' thermore that an air-.tight relation exists between the two diaphragme. However while diaphragm 39 substantially follows the curvature of hollow housing member 30, it is intended that some air space be provided between said members, Aand particularly the annular air space shown in Fig. l between member 3) and diaphragms 32 and 39.

The amount of air between diaphragms 32v and 39 is relatively small, depending upon the desired movement of stem 4I and diaphragmV 3.9. For a relatively greater movement the amount of air would be greater in order to provide an effective balancing chamber between diaphragms 32 and 39. v i

Stem 4I upwardly projecting from diaphragm 39 and through the housing cover 31 is suitably secured by disc 42 to said diaphragm, said disc being adapted to cause upward movement of said diaphragm upon upward translation of stem 4I.

Non-rotatable member 43 secured upon the upper end of stem 4I has a cam surface 44 adapted to be operatively engaged by the corresponding cam surface 45 carried by the manually rotatable handle 46. Thus rotatable movement to a greater or lesser degree will cause a greater or lesser upward movement of member 43 and the stem 4I secured thereto.. Thus `the maximum pivotal movement of handle 4.6 causes a. corresponding :rnaxiniurri upward movement of diaphragm 39 until it assumes the dotted line position indicated at 39. Thus intermediate pivotal movement of handle 43 will cause intermediate movement of diaphragm y39` between the .two extremer positions of said diaphragm as Yshown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

-With diaphragms 32 and 39 initially in engaging relation it is seen that upward movement ofdiaphragm 39 will provide a balancing vacuum chamber 41 between the two diaphragms.

The extent of this vacuum or the extent to which the air pressure therebetween is reduced will depend proportionately upon the extent of upward movement of diaphragm 39.

For instance maximum vacuum is provided within balancing chamber 41 when diaphragm 39 is displaced to its maximum'upward position indicated by the dotted lineposition 33. Intel'- mediate degrees of vacuum are correspondinglyl During brake actuation disc I5 is seated 4over vacuum chamber I3, and with disc 21 unseated, air is in chamber I4V and in communication with, the vehicle power brake chamber 4 through .port

1 and conduit 6 therebetween.

Upon manual pivotal movement` counter-clock;

wise, for instancey of handle 43 with diaphragm 39 elevated creating a vacuum condition in chamber 41, and. with airinr chamber I4, it is seen that the pressure diierential between said chambers causes upward movement of diaphragm 32 and stem 33 causing disc 21 in the rst place to seat itself by action. of coilspring 23,V uponrrthe valve seat 29. shutting off .chamber I4. from fur-. ther supplyof air from chamber 24.

In the second placevalve disc I5 isunseated by collar 34 engaging the lower portion 35 v`of, guide I6, as stem Y33 travels, upwardly sc that now vacuum communication from, the vacuum source 3 to chamber I3' is` established with chamberI4. Y.

Vacuum now built up in chamber I44 i s communicated by conduit 6, Fig,. 2, above mentioned, to the vacuum power brake chamberhdofnthe vehicle for releasing the brakes1 brake release being accomplished bythe communi.cation oi vacuum,

on both sides of chamber 4', i. e. through conduits 2 and 6, which is the characteristic bralce release condition in,y a, vacuum suspended system.

It is seen that the extent of rjiijvotal`rnovenientV of handle 46 counter-clockwise`- -vary Vthe promptitude of upward movement of stern 33 for providing vacuum communication tofsaidpower brake chamber 4, andcan also vary .'theunseated spaced relation between disc I5 and chamber-l' I3, whereby the time for developing'full vacuum-1in chamber I4 may be regulated.

At the moment however thejhandle 4l? is; ac-

` mittingvalve I under action of spring 36 to again seat itself over the opening of vacuum chamber I3. At this point of equilibrium the power brakes are still released, but valve disc 21 is still seated.

The vacuum power brakes will not be applied or partly applied until handle 46 is returned by a clockwise movement to its initial position, or partially returned permitting diaphragm 39 to return to an intermediate position or to its initial position, again creating a differential of pressure on opposite sides of diaphragm 32. This differential due to decreased or zero vacuum above diaphragm 32 and with vacuum in chamber I4 causes further downward movement of diaphragm32 and stem 33 in turn causing disc 21 to unseat permitting air to enter chamber I4.

Air in chamber I 4 conducted to the power brake chamber 4 through port 1 and conduit 6 above mentioned, eflects application of the brakes, and at the` same time diaphragm 32 under` pressure of the air in chamber I4 is returned upwardly to its neutral position as shown in Fig. 1, whereby again there is equilibrium between chamber I4 and the chamber above the two diaphragms 32 and 39. l

It is seen that the vacuum chamber 41 is a balancing chamber for determining the amount, degree and direction of longitudinal movement of diaphragm 32 and stem 33. If the vacuum supply to such a chamber were eiected eXteriorly of the chamber housing there would exist the disadvantage that the extent of such vacuum therein would vary in accordance with the rise and fall of the vacuum supply.

By manually creating vacuum within balancing chamber 41, independent of any exterior vacuum source, a more highly/dependable and promptly responsive valve is provided. By employing handle 46 the degree of vacuum within balancing chamber 41 can be` regulated which in turn directly effects the action and movementof diaphragm 32 in controlling the vacuum power brakes and their release.

With reference to Fig. 2 in brake release condition, handle 46 is pivoted manually counterclockwise, looking at the control valve from the top thereof. Diaphragm 39 is elevated to its dotted line position 39 as shown in Fig. 1, establishing the vacuum balancing chamber 41. Vacuum in chamber 41 and air in chamber I4 also causes upward movement of diaphragm 32 resulting in the upward unseating of disc I5 establishing vacuum communication to chamber I4, port 1, conduit 6 and the brake chamber 4.

Thus with vacuum through conduits 6 and 2 the power brake actuating piston within chamber 4 is centrally suspended therein maintaining the vehicle brakes in released condition.

To apply the brakes however, hande 46 is actuated in a clockwise direction permitting diaphragm 39' Yto return towards or toits solid line position 39, eliminating the vacuum balancing chamber V41. Thus with vacuum in chamber I4, diaphragm 32 drops downwardly unseating air control disc 21, airis supplied to chamber I,4,-port 1; conduit 6 to one side of; brake chamber 4. Thus with a vacuum condition on the other side ofthe piston within brake chamber `4, it is seen that'f a translation to the left of piston rod Vor brake actuating lever `8 is eiectedfor applyingV the vehicle brakes.

- To 'again release the brakesihandle 46 is now rotated manually in a counterclockwise direc,- tion to produce the brake release condition hereinabove fully described. A

Fig. 3 illustrates a slightly different arrangement of an air suspended power brake system oftenV used in conjunction with the truck, trailer` brakes. The vacuum, source from the intake manifold 3 is connected through conduit 4B to port I2 of the control valve housing II. Vacuum communication isalso provided through conduit 49 to the vacuum reserve tank 5U which `joins the remote conversion `valve 5I by conduit 52. The two brake operating chambers 53 are joined to conversion valve 5I by conduit 54 for effecting operation and release of the trailer power brakes. In brake release conditionair is available on both sides of the operating pistons within-said brake chambers, said braking arrangement being regarded as an air suspended system. To apply the brakes vacuum is supplied from vacuum tank 59, through conversion valve 5I and conduits 54. In this arrangement control valve II is employed merely for effecting operation of the conversion valve 5I, the detail and construction of which is omitted herein. Vacuum or air communication from control valve II is supplied to conversion valve 5IA for operating` the same through conduit 55 in the manner fully described above -in connection with providing air or vacuum communication out through port 1 and conduit B from control valve I I.

Having described my invention, reference should now be had to the claims which followfor determining the scope thereof.

i I claim: l p 4 1. A control valve comprising a housing having a brake control air and vacuum outlet chamber, an air chamber and a vacuum chamber adapted for alternate communication with said outlet chamber, valve means for effecting said alternate communications, a moveable diaphragm disposed through said housing and joined to said valve means, and manually operable means including a second diaphragm in said housing for creating a Vacuum betwen said diaphragms governing movements of the latter for establishing communication between said vacuum and outlet chambers, and for eliminating said vacuum for establishing said communication between said air and outlet chambers.

2. In a control valve adapted for alternately supplying air and vacuum to a brake chamber, a housing having an air chamber and a vacuum chamber, valve means for alternately opening and closing off said chambers from said brake chamber, a moveable diaphragm disposed through said housing and joined to said valve means, and manually operable means including'a second4 dia phragm in said housing for creating a vacuum between said diaphragms governingmovements of said rst diaphragm for opening said vacuum chamber and closing said air chamber, and for eliminating said vacuum for opening said air chamber and closing said vacuum chamber.

3. In a control valve for alternately supplying air and vacuum to a brake chamber, a housingV having an air chamber and a vacuum chamber,

valve4 means for alternately opening and closing` ofi said chambers from said. 'brake chamber, moveable means controlling movementfoi. said valve means, and manually operable means in en. gagement with said moveablemeans, adaptedfor movement relatively thereto. for creating avan-e uum in the chamber therebetween, governing movement of said moveable means toi effect vopen-- ing of said vacuum chamber, and for further relative movement to eliminate said vacuum toieiect opening of said air chamber.

4. In a control valve for alternately supplying air and vacuum to a brake chamber, a housing, a. diaphragm disposed through said housing adapted for movement therein, valve means carried by said diaphragm for controlling communication through said housing alternately of an air source and a' vacuum source, and a second diaphragm in engagement with said diaphragm adapted for movement relatively thereto for creating a vacuum in the chamber therebetween, governing movement of said valve means, causing upward movement of said first diaphragm permitting vacuum communication through said housing and adapted for further relative movement eliminating said vacuum, allowing downward movement of said rst diaphragm permitting air communication through said housing.

5. In a control valve for alternately supplying air and vacuum to a vehicle brake chamber, a housing, a diaphragm disposed through said housing adapted for movement therein, valve means carried by said diaphragm to controlon upward movement communication through said housing of a vacuum source, and on downward movement therein to alternately control commu nications through said housing of an air source, a second diaphragm disposed through said housingv in engagementwith s aid first diaphragm, adapted for manually controlled movement relatively thereto creating a vacuum therebetween to cause upward movement of said first diaphragm, and for further movement relative thereto eliminating said vacuum permitting downward movement of said first diaphragm.

6. In a control valve for alternately supplying air and vacuum to a bralre chamber, a housing having an air chamber and a vacuum chamber, moveable valve means adapted to` alternately seal said cfambers from said brake chamber, a moveable diaphragm disposed. through said housing and joined to said valve means, a second moveable diaphragm in said housing in loose engaging relation with said first diaphragm, andimanually operable means joining saidl second diaphragm adapted 'to cause movement thereof relatively away from and toward said first diaphragm ior first creating and then eliminating a vacuum therebetween to effect reciprocable movem'entsof s'aidvalve means.

7. In a control valve for alternately supplying air'and vacuum to.A a braliechamber; a: housing'` having` an chamber and a vacuum chamber,V

moveable valvernean's adapted: to alternately seal:

said.v chambers from said. brake' chamber, a'. move- 51 able'diaphragm. disposed through said housing and. joined to said'. valve..means', a second moveable diaphragm insaid housing in: engaging re`4 lation with said i'lrst diaphragm, andV manually" vacuum, and outlet chambers, moveablevalve- 20. means. adapted on upward movement to. seal oft'- said air chamber and join said outlet and vac uum chambers, and on first stage downwardmovement seal off said vacuum chamber from said outlet chambenand on second stage` down- 25. ward movement join said air and outlet chambers, a movable diaphragm disposed through said housing and joined to said valveY means, a Second moveable diaphragm in said housing in loose. engaging relation tov said. iirst diaphragm, 3.0. and manually operable means joining said second diaphragm adapted to cause movement thereof relative to said `first diaphragm for cre.- ating a vacuum in the chamber between said. diaphragms into which said first diaphragm is upwardly moveable, with first stage downward movement of said valve means being: effected upon an equilibrium being established between said vacuum and outlet chambers, said manually operable means being. adapted to cause further@ 40 relative movement of said second diaphragm for' eliminating said vacuum. and causing second stage downward movement of saidn rst dia', phragm.

9. In a control valve for alternately supplying air' and vacuum to a vacuum suspended power brake chamber, a housing havingv air. and'vacuumchambers, a diaphragm actuated regulating'valve stern therein for alternately sealing saidcham- `bers from said brake chamber, and moveable means in engagement with' said stem actuating diaphragmA adapted for' movement relatively: thereto forA creating a vacuum'. between said' moveable means and said diaphragm, effecting upward movement of said diaphragm for supplying vacuum to said. brake chamber, said moveable means being adapted for further relative movement to eliminate said vacuuml permitting downward movement of said diaphragm for supplying airl to said' brake chamber. 0 GORDON R. ELLIOTT.VY 

